With life's challenges now balanced, Rory Singer returning to action

Not through the difficult losses to Yushin Okami and Jason MacDonald in the UFC, not through his release from the organization, and certainly not after a disappointing loss to Isidro Gonzalez in the AFL.

As Singer told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), the desire was always there — but the 32-year-old had to strike a balance in his life in order to chase after his dreams.

“It’s been a while since I fought — since March 7, 2008,” Singer said. “It was just a matter of getting life out of the way a little bit and finding someone who was willing to take a chance and allow me in their organization.”

Singer’s life included his commitments to both his family as well his businesses, The HardCore Gym in Athens, Ga., and his management firm, Mammoth Sports & Entertainment, which he runs along with partner Andrew Beach.

“Life got in the way for a while,” Singer said. “I got married in August 2008. I’ve got guys fighting and just trying to run a gym and be there for my teammates, be a good training partner, a good coach, a good cornerman.”

The distractions proved difficult as Singer progressed through the UFC’s middleweight division.

Following in the footsteps of then-teammate Forrest Griffin, a successful run on “The Ultimate Fighter 3″ landed Singer a deal with the world’s biggest MMA promotion. But a June 2007 loss to MacDonald, in a fight Singer was winning for five minutes, signaled the end of his four-fight run in the UFC.

As Singer starts again, this time in Canada’s MFC, the Georgia resident said this time will be different.

“I think the thing that’s changed is I’m injury free,” Singer said. “No one likes to talk about injuries, especially right after a fight. But I fought Jason MacDonald, and a month later I had shoulder surgery. That’s just the fact of the matter.

“I take nothing away from [MacDonald’s] win, but whether he’s a slow-starter or not, I smashed him for five minutes. Maybe I thought my contract said it was a one-round fight and I was wrong and I was confused that I had to fight a second round and I wasn’t ready for it. I was wasted. I’m not going to lie; I gassed. I wasn’t training like I needed to be training because I couldn’t. And I had surgery after. But people should expect that guy who fought Jason and did very well and won that round and dominated, but be able to do that for a second and third round because I’m in the best shape of my life.”

Singer will get to immediately test that conditioning when he meets WEC veteran Bryan Baker (8-1) on the Feb. 20 event, “MFC: Destined for Greatness.” Singer believes his experience will prove the difference in the bout.

“[Baker] is tough,” Singer said. “He’s 8-1, but he’s really only been competing a couple of years. I’ve got a wealth of experience on him. I believe I’m the better, more technical fighter in all ranges.

“He might have a wrestling edge on me, but I’m the better striker and the better grappler. And I’m the more experienced fighter. He’s young. He’s athletic. I’m experienced, skilled and as big and strong as I’ve ever been right now. My conditioning is great. My head’s been in the right spot for a long time. It’s just a matter of putting all that together and finding a place to unleash it. Now I have it.”

Singer knows his time is limited as an active fighter. And while he still has his gym and management firm to fall back on, Singer is focused on establishing himself as a successful competitor once again.

“I’m as big and as strong as I’ve been since I was young,” Singer said. “I’m 32, so I’m not young anymore for fighting. But I’m as big and strong as I’ve been.

“I’m in the best shape of my life. I’m injury free. I’m healthy. My head is screwed in straight. I’m just looking forward to going out there and fighting a nice young buck like Bryan Baker — and taking it to him and coming out with the victory.”

While Singer’s interests are still spread across the board, experience has led him to strike a proper balance as he seeks to revive his fighting career.

“I’m wearing hats as a fighter, a coach and a trainer and gym owner,” Singer said. “Hopefully I’ll be able to maintain a new, re-invented career on top of running a gym and a management company.”

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